Youth DecayThe Party's Over

On their latest record, The Party's Over, Youth Decay deliver hooky, technical pop punk with a level of energy and aggression not unlike that of genre staples Four Year Strong and Gnarwolves. Optimistic major guitar leads and bouncy upbeat rhythms dominate songs like opener "Balance," and feature strong, memorable hooks in the verses and choruses.

One of Youth Decay's greatest strengths is their overall versatility and ability to shift gears within and between songs seamlessly. "Slow Clap" incorporates Southern influences and pentatonic riffing, while "Put It Off," which follows the subdued, midtempo title track, is a full-fledged hardcore song that concludes with an explosive two-step section. Vocalist Stu McKillop's scratchy growl complements the speedy compositions nicely, despite occasionally faltering during some of the more melodically driven moments.

The Party's Over is a well written collection of light-hearted songs that effectively capture the listener's attention with their displays of technical prowess and their unrelenting energy.
(New Damage)